Saturday, November 15 | 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. | Free Admission
Since 2005, the Oklahoma History Center has connected visitors to the stories of our state. Now, it’s marking its 20th anniversary with a free public celebration.
This one-day event offers something for every history enthusiast or anyone curious about the people and stories that shaped Oklahoma. Guests can explore hands-on artifact carts, join guided tours led by staff and volunteers, and enjoy live historical interpreters throughout the museum galleries. Special programming will take place throughout the day.
The event will also feature the opening of a new exhibit, Collect, Preserve, Share: 20 Years at the Oklahoma History Center, in the Sam Noble Gallery.
Collect, Preserve, Share: 20 Years at the Oklahoma History Center
This retrospective exhibit highlights how the opening of the Oklahoma History Center in 2005 transformed the Oklahoma Historical Society’s ability to collect, preserve, and share the state’s history. Featuring current and former staff favorites, the exhibit will showcase meaningful acquisitions from the past 20 years and the institution’s expanded capacity, mission, and impact.
Since opening on Statehood Day in 2005, the Oklahoma History Center has welcomed visitors from across the state and beyond to explore 215,000 square feet of exhibits, archives, and public spaces. The facility also houses the John and Eleanor Kirkpatrick Research Center, which provides free access to thousands of books, photographs, manuscripts, oral histories, and film and video.
An affiliate of the Smithsonian and National Archives and accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, the Oklahoma History Center invites the public to experience history in meaningful, engaging, and accessible ways.
This milestone event is free and open to all. Whether you are a longtime supporter or a firsttime visitor, November 15 is the perfect day to discover what makes the Oklahoma History Center a place worth celebrating.
Nominations open for the 2026 Oklahoma Historical Society Awards
The OHS is now accepting nominations for the following awards through November 15.
Oklahoma Historians Hall of Fame –Honors individuals for distinguished and long-term contributions to Oklahoma history. Inductees receive the Oklahoma Historians Hall of Fame medal and their biography published in The Chronicles of Oklahoma
Bruce T. Fisher Award – Awards the significant contributions of an individual or organization for Oklahoma history projects completed in the previous year with a budget of $20,000 or below. Recipients receive a commemorative plaque.
Linda Williams Reese Award – Recognizes an outstanding dissertation or thesis on Oklahoma history completed in the previous year. Recipients receive $500 and a plaque of recognition.
Joseph B. Thoburn Award – Awarded to a junior or senior high school student who exhibits outstanding achievements in the presentation or interpretation of state and local history. Recipients receive $500 and a plaque of recognition.
William D. Pennington Award – Presented to an outstanding social studies teacher who demonstrates effective teaching by any measure of excellence. Recipients receive $500 and a plaque of recognition.
The Oklahoma Historical Society encourages individuals and organizations to nominate others or self-apply. Membership to the OHS is not required to nominate or receive an award. Awardees will be honored at the annual OHS Awards Banquet on Thursday, March 19, 2026
Visit okhistory.org/awards for full details and to download nomination forms.
Oklahoma City, OK 73105-7917.
By authorization of the Oklahoma Historical Society (OHS) Board of Directors, 3,500 copies are prepared at a cost of $1,295 bimonthly. The publication is financed in part with federal funds from the National Park Service, United States Department of the Interior.
Contents and opinions do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Oklahoma Historical Society or the United States Department of the Interior. Mention of trade names does not constitute endorsement or recommendation by either organization.
Mistletoe Leaves is published for the members and friends of the OHS in partial fulfillment of its mission to collect, preserve, and share the history and culture of the state of Oklahoma and its people.
Students and teachers are invited to share studies and programs and to duplicate content as desired. Editors are welcome to reprint materials with credit.
All Oklahoma Historical Society facilities are for the education and enjoyment of all. State and federal regulations prohibit unlawful discrimination in state and federally-assisted programs on the basis of race, color, national origin, and/or handicap.
Anyone denied benefits should contact the grievance manager of the Oklahoma Historical Society, 800 Nazih Zuhdi Drive, Oklahoma City, OK 73105-7917, telephone 405-837-7631 and/or the director, Office of Equal Opportunity, United States Department of the Interior, Washington, DC 20240.
By Trait Thompson
Before beginning my current position as executive director of the Oklahoma Historical Society in 2021, I spent almost seven years as the project manager for the State of Oklahoma on the $280 million restoration of our beautiful Capitol. During those years, in addition to working with our contractors, engineers, and architects, I began researching the history of the building and the momentous events that occurred within its walls and on its grounds. Utilizing numerous sources, including The Gateway to Oklahoma History, I compiled over 300 pages of notes. Those notes were an invaluable resource when I eventually published my book, The Oklahoma State Capitol, in 2022.
Even though my duties as project manager for the Capitol restoration effort were completed several years ago, I find myself still inextricably tied to the edifice that serves as our seat of government, and I suspect I always will. As many know, the Oklahoma Historical Society operates the 4,000-square-foot museum on the ground floor of the Capitol. The Oklahoma State Capitol Museum serves as a great educational tool for visitors from all over the world. It contains over 125 artifacts such as the quill pen President Roosevelt used to sign the statehood proclamation in 1907, a working draft of the state’s constitution, and the silver-plated pickax used to break ground on the Capitol construction project in 1914.
Every so often, I get asked to give a special tour of the Capitol, especially during the
legislative session when many civic groups are in Oklahoma City from out of town. I enjoy leading these tours because it’s possible to cover so much Oklahoma history in a short amount of time. I typically start my tours at the bronze Great Seal of the State of Oklahoma inlaid in the marble floor. It is the place I like to begin because it provides an opportunity to talk about Indian removal, the Five Tribes, the Sequoyah Convention, the 1906 Enabling Act, the 1910 special election to move our capital from Guthrie to Oklahoma City, the meaning behind our state motto, and more.
As we journey through the building, I am eager to share the inspiring history of Clara Luper, the Choctaw Code Talkers, and the remarkable growth of state government during the 1930s and 1940s, along with highlights of some of our distinguished governors. The fourth-floor rotunda serves as a perfect backdrop for discussing our iconic dome, the stunning murals crafted by Charles Banks Wilson in the 1970s, and his captivating portraits of Oklahoma’s beloved figures: Robert S. Kerr, Sequoyah, Will Rogers, and Jim Thorpe. Witnessing these extraordinary Oklahomans brought together in one space allows us to truly appreciate their profound impact, not just within our state but on the national and international stage.
Leading people on tours of our Capitol allows me to present our history through captivating stories of struggle and triumph. It also provides an opportunity to share the vast educational resources of the Oklahoma Historical Society. I always hope a tour will inspire visitors to learn more about the state’s history and people. If it has been a while since you last visited, I invite you to rediscover our shared heritage by exploring the museum and enjoying the exceptional art on display.
Be sure to register for the September 26 Capitol Tour for OHS Members by visiting okhistory.org/capitol-tour.
OKLAHOMA STATE CAPITOL MUSEUM
Created as part of the Oklahoma Capitol Restoration Project, the Oklahoma State Capitol Museum features more than 125 artifacts relating to the history of the Oklahoma State Capitol and the work of Oklahoma’s state government.
The Oklahoma State Capitol Museum is open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free.
Processing historic items: from donation to digital photographs
A significant aspect of the Oklahoma Historical Society’s (OHS) mission is to collect, preserve, and share the rich tapestry of Oklahoma’s photographic heritage. In our ongoing series, which provides an insightful behind-the-scenes glimpse into the diligent efforts of the OHS Research staff, this month, we are giving readers a snapshot of the meticulous steps of processing photographs once they are donated.
Since its inception in 1893, the Oklahoma Historical Society has actively collected photographic images, resulting in an impressive archive of approximately 12 million photographs today. These images span various formats, including glass plates, tintypes, slides, panoramas, and both black-and-white and color prints, not to mention various negatives. This vast collection is an invaluable repository of Oklahoma’s cultural, social, political, military, and business history, providing a multifaceted perspective on the state’s past.
One of the best resources for those passionate about history is The Gateway to Oklahoma History. This free online repository of the state’s history has been made accessible through a fruitful partnership between OHS and the University of North Texas. This platform serves as a bridge connecting the public to a wealth of historical knowledge.
While thousands of images are available to view and download online, we are often asked when new ones will be available to the digital world. Every day, our dedicated team of photo archivists is painstakingly working on a comprehensive series of steps to assess the condition and significance of each donated print or negative.
Initial inspections focus on the physical state of the images, where damage or deterioration is calculated. OHS also carefully considers
copyright and privacy concerns, as some collections may touch on sensitive cultural matters or contain graphic content.
Following this thorough evaluation, our archivists delve into the images’ significance before scanning them. Special attention is given to collections of considerable historical importance or to particularly delicate photographs. At this stage, archivists take every precaution to protect these treasured items, using gloves to prevent the transfer of fingerprints and oils.
Before the scanning process, the photographs are organized into workable groups like people, events, or time periods. This way they can be scanned in organized batches. Scanning the photos is the next step, ensuring that they will be accessible online for scholarly use, publications, or other interested parties. Scans also safeguard deteriorating photographs while limiting the handling of the originals.
Once each image has been scanned, clear and accurate descriptions have to be added. The processing of each photograph is a collaborative effort. Each image receives an assigned collection number and detailed metadata. This information is the key to referring to each photo and captures vital information, including dates (when known), subjects, historical events, and approximate locations. For each batch, the scans and accompanying information are carefully edited, sorted, and prepared before being sent to the University of North Texas for inclusion on The Gateway.
After sending the batches of scans, they join a larger queue of items awaiting their turn to be uploaded to the online portal. This phase necessitates patience, as the journey from donation to digital upload can sometimes take two to three years. Although there is no fixed timeline for the visibility of these photos on The Gateway, we are committed to ensuring the process is as efficient as possible, particularly in cases where grant funding imposes a deadline.
Through each stage of this process, from the initial assessment to the eventual digital capture, the utmost care is taken to respect each photograph’s historical significance. This ongoing vital work, connecting Oklahomans and history enthusiasts with the stories and memories captured in these images, is at the heart of our mission to collect, preserve, and share.
Visit okhistory.org/research/photos to learn more about the process of photo care, donating photos, and ordering specific prints of images from the OHS collection.
W. E. Dode and Lulu McIntosh Collection donation
The grandson of Waldo Emerson Dode McIntosh recently donated the personal papers, correspondence, tribal documents, and memorabilia belonging to his grandfather to the Oklahoma Historical Society (OHS). W. E. Dode McIntosh served as principal chief of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation from 1961 to 1972. He was involved with many of Tulsa’s civic organizations and was also a former board member of the OHS.
Dr. Ken McIntosh, a history instructor at Clarendon College, is one of nine of the former chief’s grandchildren, who worked on behalf of the family to ensure the collection will inspire future generations. With the donation of the collection, he hopes to highlight his grandfather’s public service in Tulsa and tribal leadership for the Muscogee (Creek) Nation. Kayla Miller, a student at Clarendon College, worked 100 hours to assemble the McIntosh tribal papers into binders by chronological date.
Chief McIntosh was the final presidentially-appointed leader for the tribe and served five terms. He worked to make the Muscogee (Creek) Nation more self-sufficient. To that end, he encouraged the social welfare of members, with a focus on housing, medical needs, economic opportunities, and education.
W. E. Dode McIntosh, 1971 (2012.201. B0391.0337, Oklahoma Publishing Company Photography Collection, OHS).
This photo of the 1958 sit-in at Katz Drug Store in Oklahoma City is among the most requested images of the OHS collection (20246.38.395.T, John Melton Collection, OHS).
OHS Calendar of Events
Oklahoma Heritage Preservation Grant Informational Workshop, Oklahoma Historical Society
Saving the Sacred: “Cemetery Preservation and Conservation, Session 1” with Jason Harpe webinar, State Historic Preservation Office
Bad Art: Adult Night at the Museum, Oklahoma Territorial Museum and Carnegie Library, Guthrie
Hair Flower Workshop with Amy Armstrong, Fort Towson Historic Site, Fort Towson
Artfully Local: Creations by Dr. Bob Palmer and Holly McHughes exhibit closes, Oklahoma Territorial Museum and Carnegie Library, Guthrie
First Friday OKPOP-IN, Oklahoma Museum of Popular Culture, Tulsa
Carolyn Wills book signing, Oklahoma History Center, Oklahoma City
History Alive! on the Cherokee Strip, Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center, Enid
Oklahoma Heritage Preservation Grant Informational Workshop, Oklahoma Historical Society
Lunch and Learn: “City Presbyterian Church–We received an NTHP grant, and you can, too!” with Pam Wilks, State Historic Preservation Office
Tattoos at the Museum: Part II, Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center, Enid
“Drills from General Winfield Scott’s Infantry Tactics” living history program, Fort Gibson Historic Site, Fort Gibson
History Alive! on the Cherokee Strip, Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center, Enid
Introduction to Natural Dyeing and English Paper Piecing workshop, Hunter’s Home, Park Hill
“The Marriage of Indian and Oklahoma Territory” presentation by Dr. Matthew Pearce, Oklahoma Territorial Museum and Carnegie Library, Guthrie
OKPOP-IN with Hispanic/Latino creatives, Oklahoma Museum of Popular Culture, Tulsa
History OffCenter at Woodworks Distilling Company, Oklahoma City
Tour of the Oklahoma State Capitol for OHS Members, Oklahoma State Capitol, Oklahoma City
Movie Night featuring Roman Holiday (1953), Will Rogers Memorial Museum, Claremore
Cinnamon Roll Social, Fort Towson Historic Site, Fort Towson
“Drills from General Winfield Scott’s Infantry Tactics” living history program, Fort Gibson Historic Site, Fort Gibson
Parlor Jams with Wayne Cantwell, The Chisholm, Kingfisher
Nuttall Book Study: A Journal of Travels into Arkansas Territory During the Year 1819, Fort Towson Historic Site, Fort Towson
Peyote Politics: The Making of the Native American Church, 1880–1937 book discussion with author Dr. Lisa Barnett, Oklahoma Territorial Museum and Carnegie Library, Guthrie
Up Late with Will Rogers: An All-Nighter for Grown Ups, Will Rogers Memorial Museum, Claremore
Hominy-making Workshop, Fort Towson Historic Site, Fort Towson
“Drills from General Winfield Scott’s living history program, Fort Gibson Historic Site, Fort
- “The Muscogee (Creek)
and the Civil War” program with T. S. Akers, Honey Springs Battlefield, Checotah
October
1 - Annual Quilt Show opens, Pawnee Bill Ranch and Museum, Pawnee
1 - When the Circus Comes to Town exhibit opens, Oklahoma Territorial Museum and Carnegie Library, Guthrie
Saving the Sacred: “Cemetery Research and Recordation, Session 2” with Jason Harpe webinar, State Historic Preservation Office
First Friday OKPOP-IN, Oklahoma Museum of Popular Culture, Tulsa
Preservation of Textiles workshop, Oklahoma History Center, Oklahoma City
Family Farm Day, Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center, Enid
Handkerchief Embroidery Workshop, Hunter’s Home, Park Hill
Doaksville Candlelight Tours, Doaksville Archaeological Site, Fort Towson
“Come One, Come All!” opening celebration and film screening of The Circus (1928), Oklahoma Territorial Museum and Carnegie Library, Guthrie
Dewey Western Heritage Weekend, Tom Mix Museum, Dewey
Blacksmithing Demonstrations, Cherokee Strip Museum and Rose Hill School, Perry
Oklahoma Historical Society Executive Committee Meeting, Oklahoma History Center, Oklahoma City
Historic Preservation Review Committee Meeting, Oklahoma History Center, Oklahoma City
“Soldier Entertainments and Pastimes” living history program, Fort Gibson Historic Site, Fort Gibson
Overnight at the Museum, Will Rogers Memorial Museum, Claremore
“Sabers and Shotguns: Civil War Cavalry in Indian Territory” program with Cody Faber, Honey Springs Battlefield, Checotah
History Alive! on the Cherokee Strip, Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center, Enid
The Chisholm and Kingfisher County 4-H Barn Dance, The Chisholm, Kingfisher
Annual Research Center Book Sale, Oklahoma History Center, Oklahoma City
Oklahoma Historical Society Board of Directors Quarterly Meeting, Museum of the Western Prairie, Altus
Movie Night featuring Phantom of the Opera (2004), Will Rogers Memorial Museum, Claremore
Blacksmithing Demonstrations, Cherokee Strip Museum and Rose Hill School, Perry
“Soldier Entertainments and Pastimes” living history program, Fort Gibson Historic Site, Fort Gibson
2025 Oklahoma Folklife Festival, Oklahoma History Center, Oklahoma City
Parlor Jams with Wayne Cantwell, The Chisholm, Kingfisher
“History Never Dies” Halloween Carnival, Oklahoma Territorial Museum and Carnegie Library, Guthrie
Ghost Stories Tours, Pawnee Bill Ranch and Museum, Pawnee
Trick-or-Treat at the Museum, Will Rogers Memorial Museum, Claremore
Annual Quilt Show closes, Pawnee Bill Ranch and Museum, Pawnee
Haunt the Hill, The Chisholm, Kingfisher
Please visit okhistory.org/events to learn more about events, programs, and exhibits.
Tour of the Oklahoma State Capitol for OHS Members!
Join Trait Thompson, executive director of the Oklahoma Historical Society, for a tour of the Oklahoma State Capitol on Friday, September 26, from noon to 1 p.m. Thompson will talk about the construction of the building, how Oklahoma City was designated the state capital, and the recent $280 million Capitol Restoration Project. Using the art in the building as a guide, he will also discuss the Five Tribes, Indian removal, Clara Luper, the state’s military history, Oklahoma’s governors, Jim Thorpe, and many other topics. This special tour will be a memorable excursion into Oklahoma history.
This tour is limited to 30 members, so register soon. To become an OHS member, visit okhistory.org/join. To register for the tour, visit okhistory.org/capitol-tour.
September 2, 1945 | September 2, 2025
(2012.201.B0129.0378,
2025 Oklahoma Folklife Festival
The 2025 Folklife Festival will be held at the Oklahoma History Center in Oklahoma City on Saturday, October 25, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. It is free and open to the public.
This festival is designed to engage visitors with opportunities to experience a variety of cultures and traditions through observation and participation.
This community-wide event will celebrate and recognize what the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress has called “the everyday and intimate creativity that all of us share and pass on to the next generation.” The “creativity” will be represented at the Oklahoma Folklife Festival through dancing, singing, crafts, food, and more. Food vendors, musical performers, and educational resources will be present to showcase their time and talents. There will also be several craft opportunities for attendees of all ages. Call 405-522-0765 for more information.
Research Center Book Sale
The Oklahoma Historical Society’s (OHS) John and Eleanor Kirkpatrick Research Center will host its annual book sale Wednesday, October 22, through Saturday, October 25, at the Oklahoma History Center in Oklahoma City. The sale will offer a variety of books, posters, maps, and collectibles. It will be open from 10 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday and from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday.
This event is free and open to the public! The book sale is a fundraiser for the OHS Research Center. Proceeds will support the center’s efforts to collect items of historical significance, provide programming for researchers and school groups, and offer resources online. The last day of the Research Center Book Sale coincides with the day of the 2025 Folklife Festival on October 25 at the Oklahoma History Center.
Oklahoma students competed in National History Day contest in Maryland
More than 60 students from Oklahoma competed at the National History Day contest in Maryland June 8–12. The theme for 2025 was “Rights & Responsibilities in History,” with more than half a million students competing worldwide in regional and state competitions.
Hayden Estrada, of Canton Elementary School (CES) received fifth place nationwide for her individual exhibit “The Right to Sit: Clara Luper and the Oklahoma City Sit-in Movement.” Her teacher was Tiffany Estrada. Adriana Parker, of Childers Middle School in Broken Arrow, earned tenth place for her individual exhibit of the “Tulsa Race Massacre.” Wythe Dodson was her teacher.
Emberly Thompson and Mackenzie Day of CES placed seventh nationwide for their group exhibit “Saint Kate: Fighting for the Rights of Oklahoma’s Children.” Harper Jones of Canton High School received sixth place for her senior individual exhibit “In Defiance of Hitler: Irish Women in the Resistance.” Both students worked with Penny Heath as their teacher.
Taleah Williams, Annie Kelly, Piper Roberts and Sydney Morgan from Morrison High School in Morrison were selected to showcase their senior group documentary, “Chilocco Indian Industrial School: A Rationale of Rights and Responsibilities,” at the National Museum of African American History in Washington, DC.
The students from Oklahoma who competed in the national competition qualified after winning first or second place in the state competition held at the Oklahoma History Center in May. Students qualified for the state competition after winning at one of seven regional competitions across Oklahoma.
National History Day is a highly regarded academic program that is studentdriven and allows students to learn about civic engagement while analyzing primary sources. The cross-curricular program meets Oklahoma standards for social studies and other subjects.
The 2025 Oklahoma National History Day competition was supported in part by a grant from the Bezos Family Foundation. The grant helped cover professional development workshops for teachers and strengthen National History Day programs.
To learn more about Oklahoma National History Day and National History Day contests, visit okhistory.org/historyday.
World War II officially ended 80 years ago on September 2, 1945, after formal surrender documents were signed aboard the USS Missouri. This day is known as Victory Over Japan Day (V-J Day). This photo captured the moment when people celebrated the end of World War II in downtown Oklahoma City in 1945
Oklahoma Publishing Company Photography Collection, OHS).
Members of the Ballet Folklorico Xochipilli of Oklahoma City performing at the 2023 Folklife Festival.
Grant applications open
The Oklahoma Historical Society will open applications for the 2026 Oklahoma Heritage Preservation Grant Program grant cycle on Monday, September 1. This grants-in-aid program will award grants ranging from $1,000 to $25,000 to municipal, county, or tribal governments, not-for-profit historical organizations, and support groups for these entities.
All not-for-profit applicants must be registered and in good standing with the Oklahoma Secretary of State. The grants will be specific to four categories: collections, exhibits, programs, and capacity building.
The online application process will open on Monday, September 1, and close on Friday, October 31, at 5 p.m. Draft applications are due by 5 p.m. on Monday, October 6, for applicants wishing to receive optional draft application feedback. Award announcements will be made in late January 2026. Virtual workshops will be held on Tuesday, September 2, and Monday, September 8, to inform the public about the Oklahoma Heritage Preservation Grant Program application process.
Learn more online at okhistory.org/grants or contact Angela Spindle at 405-522-0472 or grants@history.ok.gov.
The “two-way wrist radio” and POPwatches
Oklahoma is home to numerous illustrators and creatives who have developed characters for comic books and films, including Chester Gould. Born in Pawnee, Oklahoma Territory, in 1900, Gould was a cartoonist best known for creating the Dick Tracy comic strip. He wrote and illustrated the iconic strip about the tough-talking crime fighter from 1931 to 1977. Gould even envisioned a “two-way wrist radio” long before we had smartwatches.
The Oklahoma Museum of Popular Culture (OKPOP) Dick Tracy Collection includes artifacts such as his original strip illustrations and the prop watch worn by Warren Beatty in the 1990 film Dick Tracy. These items will eventually be featured in OKPOP’s Imagined Worlds exhibit area planned for the second floor, which aims to introduce guests to over a century of action heroes.
OKPOP plans to utilize groundbreaking technologies to create interactive experi-
ences throughout the museum, including a “POPwatch”—now being developed—which will use RFID technology to enhance the visitor experience. These POPwatches will bring the OKPOP exhibit environments to life through the RIPLEY app. Guests who wear the watches will encounter various interactive computer stations throughout the museum. This modern wrist technology will provide an in-depth content dive through the experience-enhancing app. This portal to augmented-reality exhibit exploration may be something Chester Gould himself might have imagined possible.
POPwatches planned for museum goers.
Beyond the Sash: Reflections on Oklahoma Pageants exhibit at Oklahoma History Center
With six Miss America winners to its name, Oklahoma has long been a powerhouse in the world of pageantry. Beyond the Sash: Reflections on Oklahoma Pageants is a new exhibit at the Oklahoma History Center Museum exploring the depth and variety of the state’s pageant and cultural representation. Through historic and contemporary examples, the exhibit examines how these events reflect tradition, identity, and change.
From national competitions to local honors such as Fairest of the Fair, and cultural ambassador titles within tribal and multicultural communities, Oklahoma’s pageants served as platforms for personal achievement, artistic and cultural expression, and public service.
Featured objects include gowns, crowns, sashes, trophies, and accessories from state-
wide pageants and compe titions, including personal items from Jane Jayroe, Miss America 1967. Visitors will see items from Ponca, Muscogee (Creek), Hispan ic, and Asian communities, and garments from youth competitions such as Little Miss India Oklahoma and Mayan heritage celebrations. Beyond the Sash on August 30. Admis sion is included with regular museum entry. Call 405-522-0765 or visit okhistory.org/ historycenter to learn more.
“Saving the Sacred” series
Starting in September, the State Historic Preservation Office will hold a three-part feature in the “Saving the Sacred” webinar series comprehensively covering the details of the cemetery preservation planning process for stewards of historic cemeteries.
Webinars will include the basics such as ownership, stewardship, memorialization, interpretation, short-term and long-term planning, signage, community engagement, fundraising, and grant writing.
Many cemetery stewards understand they need to do something about the issues they face, but are unsure where to start or who might help guide them. Sessions will be held on Thursday, September 4, October 2, and November 6, at 2 p.m. on each date. Register at okhistory.org/ shpowebinars.
Dick Tracy comic strip and a two-way wrist radio created for Dick Tracy (OKPOP Dick Tracy Collection, OHS).
Romper and boots worn by Ashleigh Robinson, Miss Oklahoma 2021 (OHS Collections).
Annual Quilt Show
PAWNEE BILL RANCH AND MUSEUM
Blacksmithing Demonstrations
CHEROKEE STRIP MUSEUM AND ROSE HILL SCHOOL
When the Circus Comes to Town exhibit opening
The circus is coming! Visit the Oklahoma Territorial Museum and Carnegie Library in Guthrie to see its latest exhibit about the history of the circus. This spotlight exhibit will be on display beginning on Wednesday, October 1.
Oklahoma has a long, rich history with the circus, its variety of performers, and curious side shows. Circuses often traveled through Indian Territory. Did you know that within months of the opening of the Unassigned Lands, a circus visited Guthrie on its summer tour around the country? Explore the exhibit that showcases how Oklahoma has uniquely influenced circus history and how the “big top” left its mark on the state.
On Friday, October 10, a special “Come One, Come All!” opening celebration will be held for the exhibition with free admission. At the event, the public can attend a special screening of Charlie Chaplin’s 1928 film The Circus and watch a center ring talent show. Light refreshments will be served. Call 405-282-1889 to learn more.
Family Farm Day
CHEROKEE STRIP REGIONAL HERITAGE CENTER
The Chisholm and Kingfisher County 4-H Barn Dance
On Saturday, October 18, from 7 to 9 p.m., join The Chisholm and the Kingfisher County 4-H program for a boot-scootin’ good time at the community’s fall Barn Dance. Held at the Kingfisher County Fairgrounds, the evening will feature live music by Mackynsie McKedy, dancing, and a chicken-fried steak dinner provided by working chuck wagons. Tickets must be purchased in advance, and they are just $25 for adults and $15 for children 13 and under. Participants must register in advance, and seating is limited. Payment must be received to secure registration.
The proceeds will benefit the Kingfisher County 4-H programs and the museum! Call 405-375-5176 to purchase tickets or visit thechisholm.org for more
Handkerchief Embroidery Workshop
HUNTER’S HOME
Celebrate Will Rogers’s birthday in Claremore
Save the date for a celebration of Will Rogers’s 146th birthday on Saturday, November 1, hosted by the Will Rogers Memorial Museum (WRMM).
The Claremore community will start the celebration with the Will Rogers Days Parade, which will begin in downtown Claremore at 3 p.m. on the afternoon of November 1. Immediately following the parade, at 4 p.m., the WRMM will host a birthday party for “Oklahoma’s Favorite Son” on the museum’s grounds. The party will include cake, inflatables, and family fun. No admission is required.
The festivities will occur during the Will Rogers Motion Picture Festival, which runs through Sunday, November 2.
Doaksville Candlelight Tours
Save the date for the annual Doaksville Candlelight Tours that will be held on Friday, October 10, and Saturday, October 11, at the Doaksville Archaeological Site in Fort Towson.
The cost for admission is $10. Guests age six and under will be admitted for free. Visitors can pre-purchase tickets at the Fort Towson Historic Site or by calling 580-873-2634. Tours begin at 7 p.m. on both nights, with the last tour starting at 9:30 p.m.
Tours will leave from the Fort Towson cemetery every 30 minutes. Guests will cross the WPA wall to enter the historic town and begin their guided walking tour. Each tour will last approximately one hour. This event is first come, first served with advanced ticket holders seated first. Guests should be aware that the terrain is rugged.
Shrine Circus, 1958 (2012.201.b1433.0652, Oklahoma Publishing Company Photography Collection, OHS).
Battle of Honey Springs Reenactment
Save the dates for November 7, 8, and 9
This year, the Oklahoma Historical Society is proud to offer its biennial multiday event at the Honey Springs Battlefield, which begins with an Education Day for school groups on Friday, November 7. Activities continue on Saturday, November 8, and Sunday, November 9, with self-guided tours through the Union, Confederate, and civilian camps, and a reenactment at 1 p.m. Visitors can experience military drills, demonstrations, and living history programs, and take a walk through Sutler’s Row, which features a number of vendors selling clothes, books, souvenirs, and reproduction nineteenth-century military equipment. Visitors from around the state come to see special presentations and watch the battle unfold. The Battle of Honey Springs reenactment shows the largest of approximately 107 documented Civil War military engagements in present-day Oklahoma. The engagement took place on July 17, 1863, just two weeks after the famous Battles of Gettysburg and Vicksburg. Approximately 9,000 Union and Confederate troops, mostly American Indians and African Americans, were involved in the Battle of Honey Springs. Of those, approximately 200 total casualties were suffered. After a decisive Union victory, Confederates lost control of Indian Territory north of the Arkansas River. The Union victory also ensured Federal control of Fort Gibson in Indian Territory and Fort Smith in Arkansas. Information about check-in, rules and etiquette, overnight accommodations, parking, ground conditions, the battlefield grounds, and other details is available on the OHS website. To register for Education Day, sign up for reenactor registration, or to apply to be considered as a sutler for this special event, visit okhistory.org/hsb.
Help us bring history to life.
The Oklahoma Historical Society is launching its Annual Giving Campaign to help support the projects and programs that make history come to life. Funds raised through this campaign impact every aspect of our organization. From The Chronicles of Oklahoma to The Gateway to Oklahoma History, and exhibits to special events—your gift to the Annual Giving Campaign makes it possible to uncover, honor, and chronicle our past. Your help is more important now than ever before. Federal funding cuts have left many of our programs at risk, and we are asking for your help to ensure we can continue to honor our past through high-quality programming and educational initiatives. This year, we hope to raise $90,000 to collect, preserve, and share our state’s unique history. Your gift provides critical operational support at every level of our organization, making it possible to host events throughout the state, offer free educational resources, and tell new stories of our state’s past. Without your help, our work simply wouldn’t be possible. Your support is also tax deductible. Each gift, regardless of size, makes a difference. Gifts of $500 or more are recognized in The Chronicles of Oklahoma , the Oklahoma Historical Society’s scholarly journal. Gifts of $1,000 or more are additionally recognized on the Oklahoma History Center donor board. Every dollar raised through the Annual Giving Campaign makes our mission possible and affirms our work to collect, preserve, and share our past. Give online today at okhistory.org/give. For questions, please contact Brittney Berling, development officer, at 405-522-0317 or brittney.berling@history.ok.gov.
